FACULTY OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND APPLIED

MATHEMATICS

2024

MAT01A2

Sequences, Series and Vector Calculus

Learning Guide

Dr Claudette Robinson
 CONTENTS

Contents
1 How to use this Learning Guide 3

2 Administrative details 3
2.1 Lecturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Consultation times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.3 Textbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.4 Moodle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.5 WeBWorK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6 Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7 Sick Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.8 How to get help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.9 Maths Learning Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3 Lectures and Tutorials 7

3.1 Lecture and tutorial schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2 Tutorial Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

4 Module information 8
4.1 Purpose of the module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.2 Module learning outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4.3 Description of the module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5 Semester program 10

6 Academic integrity 12
6.1 Academic regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6.2 Plagiarism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

7 Complaints Procedure 12

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 2 ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Welcome to Sequences, Series and Vector Calculus. In this module you will build on
the basis you have laid in your first year Calculus modules. In those modules you learnt
about Differential and Integral Calculus. In this module we discuss the concept of a
sequence (a special kind of function) and the concept of a series (a special kind of sum).
Both concepts are important in higher courses of mathematics, specifically courses in
Analysis. For example, these concepts are key concepts in the branches of mathematics
called Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Topology and Functional Analysis.
We also introduce the notion of a vector and see how we can do Calculus on vector valued
functions.

1 How to use this Learning Guide

This Learning Guide is your road map to success. Follow it carefully before you com-
mence with the programme. All the information we regard as critical to making a success
of your studies, is contained herein. Information such as outcomes, content, assessments,
etc. is provided in this guide.

2 Administrative details
2.1 Lecturer
Dr Claudette Robinson
Office: C-Ring 514 (2nd passage), APK
Tel: (011) 559-4286

To contact the lecturer by email, please send your email to [email protected].

When contacting your lecturer by email please do the following:

ˆ Give a a short description of your query in the subject line.

ˆ Start your message with a polite greeting.

ˆ Give the module code (MAT01A2) at the beginning of your message or in the
subject line. (Lecturers teach many different modules so they need to know which
of their classes you are in.)

ˆ Write your query using full sentences and correct punctuation.

ˆ Include your name and student number at the end of the email.

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 2 ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

2.2 Consultation times

You do not need to make an appointment to see a lecturer during their consulting hours.
At those times they will be in their office and available to help. If you are struggling
to understand a particular topic then please come and ask for help as soon as possible.
Consultation times will be announced on Moodle.

If you would like to consult but are not able to do so during consultation times, please
send an email to [email protected] to set up an appointment.

2.3 Textbook
The prescribed textbook for MAT01A2 is:

Calculus: Early Transcendentals (8th edition or 9th edition) by James Stewart

Metric International Version, Cengage Learning
ISBN: 978-1-305-27237-8 or 978-0-357-11351-6
e-Book ISBN: 978-1-473-74780-7 or 978-0-357-11351-6

If you would sometimes like to work with a hard copy, there are some copies of older
editions available in the UJ library. The content is almost identical except that the some
of the older versions have extra sections (1.4 and Appendix H) and some of the exercises
are different.

2.4 Moodle
If you are reading this Learning Guide then you have probably already successfully logged
in to Moodle. You can access Moodle via uLink (https://ulink.uj.ac.za/).

Moodle will be used for:

ˆ Communicating administrative information about the module.

ˆ Important announcements.

ˆ Distributing learning material.

You should log on to Moodle at least twice a week. In addition, make sure that you
check your emails regularly.

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 2 ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

2.5 WeBWorK
Electronic assessments will be done on a platform called “WeBWorK”. The link is:

https://webwork.uj.ac.za/webwork2/MAT01A2 2024/

Make sure you read through and understand the Honesty Declaration on the landing
page.
When you log in for the first time use your student number as your username and
password. You can change your password if you want to, but make a note of it. If
you forget your password it has to be reset. If this happens, please send an email to
[email protected] and request that your password be reset. Include you student number
and module code in the email.

2.6 Assessment
Below we describe how you will be assessed for this module, as well as how your Final
Mark (FM) will be calculated:

ˆ During the semester you will have the opportunity to write two semester tests.
You will also have opportunities to complete a number of quizzes on WeBWorK
and write class tests. The WeBWorK quizzes and class tests will contribute ±20%
towards your Semester Mark (SM). The two semester tests will contribute the
remaining ±80% of your SM.

ˆ If your SM is 40% or more you will be allowed to write the examination for the
module, for which you will obtain a mark called the Exam Mark (EM). If your SM
is less than 40% you will not be allowed to write the exam and you will have failed
the module.

ˆ The Final Mark (FM) you obtain for this module will be calculated as
 
1
FM = EM + SM .
2

ˆ To pass the module you need to obtain a Final Mark (FM) of at least 50%, as well
as an Exam Mark of at least 40%.

ˆ A distinction will be awarded if your final mark is at least 75%.

ˆ To qualify to write the supplementary exam you need to obtain a FM of between

40% and 49%.

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 2 ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

2.7 Sick Tests

ˆ If you are sick on the day of a Semester Test, an official application form available
on Moodle must be submitted to enable you to write a Sick Test.

ˆ The application will require supporting documents to prove that you were sick on
the day of the Semester Test.

ˆ More details will be posted on Moodle around the time of the Semester Tests.

ˆ There are no sick tests for online quizzes (on WeBWorK) or class tests.

2.8 How to get help

If you find that you are struggling to understand the topics that are being covered, please
get in touch with the lecturers or tutors. You can do this via email ([email protected]).

2.9 Maths Learning Centre

The Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics runs a tutor centre where
students can access one-on-one help from tutors. The MLC (or Tutor Centre as it is often
called) is located in C-Ring 512 (2nd passage). The operating hours will be announced
on Moodle as soon as they become available.

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 3 LECTURES AND TUTORIALS

3 Lectures and Tutorials

3.1 Lecture and tutorial schedule

Day Period Time Lecture/Tutorial Venue

Tuesday TU 3 9:40 - 10:25 Lecture C LES 101

Wednesday WE 3 9:40 - 10:25 Tutorial C LES 102

Wednesday WE 4 10:30 - 11:15 Tutorial C LES 102

Thursday TH 13 18:00 - 18:45 Lecture C LES 103

3.2 Tutorial Format

During each week a list of problems (from the textbook) will be posted on Moodle. Stu-
dents should complete at least these problems in preparation for the tutorial the following
week. The tutorials are then an opportunity to attempt more problems and to seek assis-
tance from tutors and lecturers. The saying mathematics is not a spectator sport” should
always be remembered. You will not learn if you only attend lectures. Working on tuto-
rial problems outside of class time is how you will really start to understand the material.

A class test will be written during some of the tutorials and the marks from these class
test will contribute towards your semester mark. Your performance in these class tests
provide an excellent way of checking if you are properly understanding the material
covered in each week’s lectures.

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 4 MODULE INFORMATION

4 Module information
The following information can also be found in the Science Faculty Yearbook. The
yearbook can be downloaded from the UJ website here.

Module name Sequences, Series and Vector Calculus

Module code MAT01A2

Pre-requisites MAT01A1/MATENA1/MAT3EA1/ASMA1A1/ASME1A1

and MAT01B1/MATENB1/ASMA1B1/ASME1B1

NQF Level 7

NQF credits 10

Duration of module One semester (14 weeks)

4.1 Purpose of the module

The main purpose of this module is to enable students to develop proficiency, in dealing
with aspects of sequences and series. Furthermore, the purpose extends to exposing the
student to a wide variety of series estimation techniques which are essential in applied
science, to improve the problem solving skills of students and to form a basis of knowledge
that would be necessary for further studies in Mathematics.

4.2 Module learning outcomes

On completion of this module, you should be able to:

ˆ Explain what is meant by the terms sequence and series.

ˆ Explain what is meant by the notion of convergence of a sequence or a series.

ˆ Be able to use various techniques to test a sequence or a series for convergence.

ˆ Explain what a Power Series is.

ˆ Use Taylor and Maclaurin Series to represent certain functions.

ˆ Explain what vector valued functions are.

ˆ Determine derivatives and integrals of vector valued functions.

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 4 MODULE INFORMATION

ˆ Calculate the arc length and curvature of a vector valued function.

ˆ Calculate the velocity and acceleration of a particle in space whose position is

described using a vector valued function.

4.3 Description of the module

The main topics covered are:

ˆ Sequences

ˆ Series

ˆ The Integral Test and Estimates of Sums

ˆ The Comparison Tests

ˆ Alternating Series

ˆ Absolute Convergence and the Ratio and Root Tests

ˆ A strategy for testing a series for convergence

ˆ Power Series item Representations of Functions as Power Series

ˆ Taylor and Maclaurin Series

ˆ Vector Functions and Space Curves

ˆ Derivatives and Integrals of Vector Functions

ˆ Arc Length and Curvature

ˆ Motion in Space: Velocity and Acceleration

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 5 SEMESTER PROGRAM

5 Semester program
In the table below you can see exactly how we will work through the syllabus this
semester. You can use this to read ahead and also to use as a reference when making
summaries of the work that has been covered.

WEEK DAY DATE SECTION(S) COMMENT

Week 1 Tuesday 13 February 11.1

Thursday 15 February 11.1

Week 2 Tuesday 20 February 11.2

Thursday 22 February 11.2

Week 3 Tuesday 27 February 11.3

Thursday 29 February 11.3

Week 4 Tuesday 5 March 11.4

Thursday 7 March 11.5

Week 5 Tuesday 12 March 11.6

Thursday 14 March 11.6

Week 6 Tuesday 19 March 11.7

Thursday 21 March Human Rights Day

Friday 22 March University Holiday

23–31 March RECESS

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 5 SEMESTER PROGRAM

WEEK DAY DATE SECTION(S) COMMENT

Week 7 Monday 1 April Family Day

Tuesday 2 April 11.8

Thursday 4 April 11.8

Week 8 Monday 8 April SEMESTER TEST 1

Tuesday 9 April 11.9

Thursday 11 April 11.9

Week 9 Tuesday 16 April 11.10

Thursday 18 April 11.10

Week 10 Tuesday 23 April 11.10

Thursday 25 April 12.1

Saturday 27 April Freedom Day

Week 11 Tuesday 30 April 12.2

Wednesday 1 May Workers’ Day

Thursday 2 May 12.3

Week 12 Monday 6 May SEMESTER TEST 2

Tuesday 7 May 12.4 and 12.5

Thursday 9 May 12.5

Week 13 Tuesday 14 May 13.1

Thursday 16 May 13.2

Week 14 Tuesady 21 May 13.3

Thursday 23 May 13.4

Thursday 20 June FINAL EXAM 16h30–18h30

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 7 COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

6 Academic integrity
6.1 Academic regulations
UJ students are expected to hold themselves to the highest standards of academic in-
tegrity. Detailed academic regulations can be found here.

Students are asked to pay particular attention to Section 11. Any form of academic
dishonesty is taken extremely seriously by the University. This is covered in Sections
11.10–11.12.

6.2 Plagiarism
A detailed description of plagiarism can be found on the Library website here.

Students should familiarise themselves with what plagiarism is and ensure that they do
not commit plagiarism.

7 Complaints Procedure
If you have any concerns regarding this module, or the teaching of this module, please
direct your concerns to the Course Coordinator:

1. Dr Claudette Robinson ([email protected])

If you are still dissatisfied, please direct your concerns to the following Deputy Head of
the Department:

2. Dr Rudi Brits ([email protected])

If you are still dissatisfied, please direct your concerns to the Head of Department:

3. Prof Nyabadza ([email protected])

If you are still dissatisfied, please direct your concerns to the Vice-Dean of Teaching and
Learning:

4. Contact details are available from the Faculty Office.

It is very important that you follow this order (1. through to 4.), when directing your
concerns. If you direct your concerns outside of this order (or to any other person), your
email will be redirected to follow this hierarchy (which will only delay your concerns being
addressed). The subject line of your written (via email) concern should be: “Complaint:
MAT01A2”. Your email should include full detail regarding your concerns, or it will be
sent back to you to request clear and precise information.

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